Erik Grogan's picture

Four Chicago Bears players that will have a breakout season in 2012

Submitted by Erik Grogan on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 2:38am

My friends, the Chicago Bears preseason opener is only six weeks away! I don't know how we made it this far, but the end of the offseason is near and the start of the Chicago Bears 2012 season is soon to be around the corner. That being said, this offseason has been a long and exciting one. The additions and changes Phil Emery has made for the team have raised fans' expectations to the highest they have been since the 2006 season ended.  

Each year is different and each year players will have breakout type seasons. This season there are four players that I believe will have a breakout year for the Chicago Bears in 2012. 

4. D.J. Moore

I can see most Bears fans scratching their heads with this choice. For a fourth-round pick playing at 5'8", weighing in at 180, and being on the field sparingly, D.J. has performed very well and at a high level compared to most corners. D.J. has a career 8 interceptions, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns, and a total of 86 tackles with 68 of them being solo tackles. These are impressive numbers for a nickelback with his size and weight, and for a player who doesn't see the field regularly. 

Here is a list of players who had similar stats to Moore in 2011, but had more playing time as they were starters for their respective teams.

2011 stats
Brandon Flowers- 47 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and Touchdowns returned 1.
Jonathan Joseph- 40 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and Touchdowns returned 0.
Antonio Cromartie- 36 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and Touchdowns returned 0.
Darrelle Revis- 41 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and Touchdowns returned 1.
D.J. Moore- 31 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, and Touchdowns returned 1.

I am not saying that D.J. Moore is the next Darrell Revis, but as I stated earlier, it is impressive for a nickelback to get 4 interceptions with the limited playing time that Moore received. Therefore, if teams continue to throw the ball his way and D.J. is able to get more playing time, watch him flourish.

Prediction
48 solo tackles, 5 interceptions, and 1 interception returned for a touchdown.

3. Kellen Davis

When playing in a Mike Martz offense, the one postilion that was deemed irrelevant in the passing game was the tight end position. That was apparent last year and apparent in Kellen Davis' production: 18 receptions, 206 receiving yards, and 5 Touchdowns. That however, is about to change.
 
Not only is Kellen Davis big (6'7" and 267 pounds), he is athletic and a decent blocker. However, the main reason I believe his numbers will skyrocket this year is because of the weapons around him and because of new offensive coordinator, Mike Tice.  Mike Tice used to be a tight end and if anyone can figure out how to get the ball into Kellen's hands, it's him. Here is a clip of what Peter King told Larry Mayer about what he thinks of the offense for 2012 http://to.ly/ecLm. For the people who don't have time for videos, Mike Tice told Peter King after a practice in Bourbonnais in 2011, "Wait till you see these tightends." King goes on to say, "America has no idea who those guys are but they will this year." Expect big things from Kellen Davis Bears fans.
 
Prediction
40 receptions, 850 yards receiving, and 9 Touchdowns.

 
2. Henry Melton
 
Melton had a decent year in 2011 and tied for third in the league in sacks by a defensive tackle. However, he was wildly inconsistent last year and this was apparent when Coach Lovie Smith called him out on his own sloppy performance. Hence, when Melton is playing at a high level, he impacts the game--especially when he has Julius Peppers lined up next to him. 
 
Melton is the only other player on the Bears last year, besides Julius Peppers, that was putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The next step for Melton is to be consistent, try not to think as much, and to learn from his mistakes last year. The potential to be the best defensive tackle in the league is there, but he has to step up and play up to his potential. As of now, Melton is in a contract year and if he wants to stay in Chicago, he will have to perform at a high level.
 
Prediction
40 tackles, 8 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.
 
1. (To be continued..)
 
The player that I am most certain will have a breakout season will actually get his own blog to himself.  I will list the ways this player will change the Bears, have a legitimate shot at MVP, and why they should re-sign him to a long term deal.
 
Which players do you think I am forgetting that will have a breakout year and which ones should I take off of this list?
 
 

Follow me on Twitter, ErikGrogan @ErikGrogan for the latest information on the NFL for anything. Trades, Free agency, or players getting cut. I follow and know the right people

 

 

Comments

3 comments posted
Wow, I like the D.j Moore

Wow, I like the D.j Moore pick as well. He's a guy i'd love to see stick around in a Bears uniform and has high expectations. But what do you think about Major Wright? The guy loves to HIT hard and could have a high number in tackles if he stays descipline. His interceptions increased also.
#BearDown!

Domoe424's picture
Posted by Domoe424 on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 10:45pm
You might be the only one

You might be the only one with hopes of Webb having a breakout year.

If anyone should benefit the most from the Tice's play-calling it should be Webb.

Erik Grogan's picture
Posted by Erik Grogan on Wed, 07/04/2012 - 12:03am
My four = McNewguy, Webb,

My four = McNewguy, Webb, Conte, Evan Rod.
If not Webb, than it needs to be Williams. We NEED a LT to have a breakout season.

Also you predicted K.Davis to get 9 touchdowns.. Hypothetically, if all 9 touchdowns happened at the south end zone in Chicago: could the goalpost handle 9 Kellen slam-dunks?

EnderWiggin's picture
Posted by EnderWiggin on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 5:55pm